One unstated benefit of using a Saitek Joystick of Machinima

I think one of the biggest problems folks have with using a joystick is they cannot see it working beyond a simple flight controller since it only works with 4 axes.  In SL, you will be able to change which axes are assigned to what for any situation.

When using a Saitek, you do have one huge benefit, and that is using the profile editor:

These are the two buttons that I have set up using the Saitek.  They allow me to turn auto levelling on and off using button controls on the joystick itself. 

Button 3 on the joystick

If you are wondering how they work, Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S -- is the command to bring up the viewer's debug settings.  "AutoL" identifies the "AutoLeveling" setting ... "TAB TAB T" (or F)" moves the mouse to the setting an sets the setting TRUE (or FALSE) depending.

The only requirement is these buttons are programmed as a LATCH.  That means you turn the button on/off.   So to do an auto level, you double tap the button.  Without a LATCH, you have to hold the button down for the duration of the command.  LATCH works much better.

This is hugely useful when flying and you are in a move you need to roll out of.